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Can you find the missing high-level Democratic official on the illustrious list of honorary host committee members for LG-elect David Paterson’s “historic inauguration” on Jan. 5?

Aside from that very glaring omission, two other things popped out at me:

H. Carl McCall standing in for Alan Hevesi as state comptroller.

Denny Farrell listed as “Democratic State Committee Chairman” even though he only holds the title until Jan. 8. (Neither of his replacements, Dave Pollak and June O’Neill, nor newly-elected Democratic Executive Committee chairman, are listed).

UPDATE: An astute Jewish reader notes Jan. 5 is a Friday, and sundown will occur that night at 4:24 p.m., which would preclude this particular missing leader’s attendance at the 6 p.m. Paterson swearing-in.

(Drat, now I’veÂ all-but given it away).Â

Then again, I’ve seen plenty of honorary committee members listed on invites who don’t show up at the actual event. It’s a courtesy thing.

UPDATE 2: An Orthodox Jew who is involved in politics but is not the subject of whom we speak wrote in to say:

“I don’t know much about the event, butÂ I would tend to agree that since (name omitted) cannot attend, it would be strange to have his name listed. IÂ don’t believe it’s a slight at all.Â

In fact, the opposite can be the case. If his name is listed it might give people the impression that he would attend a Friday night event, which would fall under the rule of “maras ayin,” which is essentially the general rule that an Orthodox person should not go into a McDonald’s to order a Coke, lest someone see him on line and make a false assumption.”

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